Drunken driver goes on Bear Valley rampage, hits four vehicles

Tuesday

Apr 20, 2010 at 7:25 AMApr 20, 2010 at 12:06 PM

Beatriz Valenzuela

VICTORVILLE • A suspected drunken driver ran into at least four vehicles and repeatedly rammed the back of a transit bus before he was stopped on Bear Valley and Mariposa roads by two Samaritans Monday afternoon, officials said.

Martin Mehloos, 44, of Lake Elsinore was arrested for driving under the influence and hit and run after a two-mile demolition drive down Bear Valley Road.

Zachary Congdon was leaving his girlfriend's house at about 4 p.m. when he noticed the driver of a gold Impala run into a Hummer at Bear Valley and Second Avenue.

The driver of the Hummer was trying to get Martin's information when Martin tried to get away.

"He backed up and hit another car," the off-duty San Bernardino County Sheriff's official said.

Congdon and the driver of the Hummer followed Martin west on Bear Valley Road where the allegedly intoxicated driver sideswiped more vehicles, Karen Hunt, spokeswoman for the Victorville station said.

Martin was finally boxed in by Congdon and the Hummer driver when Martin became stuck behind a transit bus at Bear Valley and Mariposa roads, but he continued his rampage.

"He repeatedly rammed into the back of the bus," Hunt said.

Deputies determined Martin was under the influence of alcohol and found several empty alcohol containers and one open one inside his Impala, according to Deputy Travis Randolph.

No one was seriously hurt in the incident.

Anyone who may have been victimized by Martin in this incident is asked to contact the Victorville station at (760) 241-2911 or WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME.

To read the full story, see Tuesday's Daily Press. To subscribe to the Daily Press in print or online, call (760) 241-7755 or click here.

Beatriz E. Valenzuela may be reached at (760)951-6276 or at BValenzuela@VVDailyPress.com.